Backcountry piloting

The spectrum of knowledge and abilities among individual aviators is vast, but safely flying the backcountry is possible for pilots of all experience levels to a certain degree. Learn about the unique considerations for operation, and how to train and prepare to maximize safety.

Work in progress. The Knowledge Base is a constant work in progress. Articles are constantly being updated, and some are mere skeletons awaiting content. Please forgive our construction dust and contact knowledge [at] backcountrypilot.org if you would like to contribute by composing an entry.

How is backcountry airmanship different?

Piloting light, piston-engine aircraft into the "backcountry", that very general term we use to describe the concept of being away from civilization and improved facilities, is a specialized subdiscipline in aviation that requires additional training and experience. In addition to utilizing all the skills of everyday airmanship, operating in the backcountry requires knowledge of:

Terrain and its effect on wind, weather, and route selection

Effects of non-standard atmosphere on aircraft performance

Evaluation of unimproved landing surfaces

Weather and micro-meteorology

Cold weather aircraft operations

Emergency maintenance and forced camping

It doesn't sound like a whole lot extra, in fact much of the knowledge is covered in primary flight training texts, but it's a critical body of knowledge that no aspiring explorer should ignore. There are only a few method by which to kill one's self in an airplane, and pilots keep using these same methods over and over again., mainly due to ignornace and complacence.

Get instruction

It is without doubt that this Knowledge Base will appeal most to low time or inexperienced pilots. While it is a great idea to educate yourself as much as possible from available knowledge resources, there really is no substitute for a real live instructor, especially one who has plenty of experience with this kind of flying. Many instructors have built all their hours instructing primary students on pavement, so time in the cockpit isn't a good indicator of proficiency by itself. Inquire about the quality of their experience and whether they've actually done this stuff.

There are many mountain flying and tailwheel flight schools around the country that specialize in this stuff. Thely likely won't teach primary, but for a pilot with a fresh certificate, it's a good place to get additional instruction.

Strategy

Backcountry flying is no different from any other discipline in aviation in that good planning and strategy result in the best outcome. Doing research and gaining as much knowledge about your destination(s) prior to departure allows you to formulate a plan to deal with any unknowns or variables. The strategy aspect really comes into play when considering how to make an approach or departure from an airstrip or landing zone that's surrounded my terrain or obstacles, as well as challenging atmospheric conditions like high density altitude or weather.

Check out The Approach series for some good writeups ranging from how to fly the wing effectively, to designing custom approach paths unique to backcountry spots.

Mountain flying

Mountains are massive and beautiful, and often the destination for the best camping and fishing spot. But mountains present some unique challenges to pilots. Learn more in this section about the considerations for flying within the mountains.

Off-airport operations

Not needing a proper airport is probably the most rewarding element of backcountry flying-- The culmination of knowledge, training, and experience in precision spot landing, surface evaluation, and strategy allow a pilot to make his own airport, given that his equipment can handle it.

Ski flying

When the lakes freeze and feet of snow cover the surface, it can be transformed into an entirely new and landable wonderland. But it is wrought with challenges and dangers all its own, from deceptively deep snow waiting to bog the aircraft down, to the extremely serious phenomenon of "overflow."

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Disclaimer

While this knowledge base is a compilation of information from various sources, some official in nature, it is not a recognized or acredited source of aviation training information, and thus should be considered entertainment. Please consult a FAA-certificated flight instructor or mechanic prior to putting any information found here into practice.